A foreign company can operate in Poland through a branch – not a separate entity, but part of the parent company, operating in the same scope. A branch is registered in the KRS (National Court Register). Investya runs the whole process for foreign companies, in any city in Poland.
Branch, subsidiary or representative office?
| Form | What it is |
|---|---|
| Branch | Part of the foreign company, same scope of business; registered in the KRS |
| Subsidiary (e.g. Sp. z o.o.) | A separate entity with its own limited liability |
| Representative office | Advertising and promotion only – no business activity |
How to register a branch – step by step
- Prepare and translate the parent company's documents (articles, register extract).
- Appoint a person authorised to represent the foreign company in the branch.
- Register the branch in the KRS under a name in the format "[company name] Oddział w Polsce".
- Obtain NIP and REGON and set up the branch's accounting.
Requirements
Companies from the EU/EEA can open branches on equal terms. For non-EU companies a reciprocity rule may apply – we'll check it for your country.
Branch or an Sp. z o.o.?
If you want independence and limited liability, a limited liability company is often the better choice. We'll compare both options in terms of tax and risk.
How Investya helps
We assemble and translate the documents, register the branch in the KRS and run its accounting – from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
A branch is not a separate entity – it's part of the foreign company, operating in the same scope. A subsidiary (e.g. an Sp. z o.o.) is a separate entity with its own liability.
No – a branch may operate only within the scope of business of the parent company.
A representative office serves only to advertise and promote the foreign company – it cannot conduct business activity. To actually trade, you need a branch or a company.
It depends on your goal. A branch is tightly linked to the parent company; an Sp. z o.o. gives independence and limited liability. We'll advise the best option.
Entering the Polish market?
Book a free consultation – we'll choose the form (branch or company) and handle the registration.
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